SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – When Erika Oller moved to Syracuse in early 2025, she noticed trash littering neighborhoods throughout the city.
Today, Oller leads DeTrash Syracuse, a volunteer group dedicated to cleaning up public spaces across the city. The organization hosts monthly cleanups in different neighborhoods and has collected more than a ton of trash since its founding in 2025.
The group’s latest cleanup took place July 18 on Syracuse’s South Side in partnership with Tiny Homes for Good, a local nonprofit that provides housing and support services for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. Despite heavy rain throughout the morning, volunteers still turned out to help.
“That’s the DeTrash way – we’re a little crazy,” Oller said through the downpour.
Oller said she is encouraged by the growth of the organization and the community support it has received.
“It’s important to care,” Oller said. “I think we live in a culture of ‘It’s not my business; it’s not my problem,’ and that’s not how society functions. If you want a society that works well, you need people who actually care, and this is a version of that.”
DeTrash Syracuse plans to hold its next cleanup in early August, and more information will be released on Instagram @detrashsyracuse.
Transcript: Rain or shine, DeTrash Syracuse keeps showing up
Sarah Turner: Erika Oller’s local cleanup group, DeTrash Syracuse, faced a steady downpour as they met up on Saturday, July 18, in the South Side. Despite the rain, more than 30 members still showed up.
Erika Oller: It’s important to care, I think we live in a culture of it’s not my business, it’s not my problem, or someone else will take care of it, and actually that’s not how society functions, you want a society that works well, you need people who care, so this is a version of that.
Turner: Oller appreciates the core group of regulars that return every month, one of them being Shail Patel, who initially joined for the community aspect, but has stayed for the opportunity to make a difference.
Shail Patel: It’s really satisfying to not just doom, and actually be able to improve things like even just a little bit, so I enjoy that.
Turner: The group will next meet early next month, but in the meantime you can keep up with them on Instagram @detrashsyracuse. Sarah Turner, NCC News.